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Schools in 95003 — Aptos, California: 95003 schools average 2.1 points above the state — but the range is 23.4 points wide.

95003 has 5 ranked schools in Aptos, averaging a Scope Score of 47.0/100 — 2.1 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025). Scores range from 33.8 to 57.2, a 23.4-point spread.

Avg Scope Score
47.0
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
23.4
33.8 – 57.2
Avg Exceeded %
18.4%
State avg: 21.3%
Chronic Absenteeism
23.6%
State avg: 17.9%
Schools Ranked
5
With Scope Scores

How 95003 schools perform

The top-ranked school is Valencia Elementary with a Scope Score of 57 and 32.6% of students exceeding standard.

Schools in 95003 show an average grade 3-to-5 growth of +6.5 percentage points, suggesting these schools are adding real value over time.

Chronic absenteeism across 95003 averages 23.6%, above the state average of 17.9%. CDE CAASPP 2025.

How 95003 compares to nearby zip codes

ZipCitySchoolsAvg Scorevs 95003
95003Aptos5Developing
47.0/100
95008Campbell6Developing
47.5/100
+0.5
95012Castroville3Developing
40.5/100
-6.5

Source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

School archetypes in 95003

2 Growth Engine3 Building Momentum

Hidden gems: 2 schools in 95003 are classified as Growth Engine (2) — showing positive growth trajectories that raw proficiency scores alone don't capture. These are schools where students leave with more than they arrived with.

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

All schools in 95003

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Valencia Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified Growth Engine
32.6%Solid
57/100
2Rio del Mar Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified Growth Engine
26.3%Solid
56/100
3Aptos High
Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum
15.8%Solid
53/100
4Mar Vista Elementary
Pajaro Valley Unified Building Momentum
11.1%Developing
35/100
5Delta Charter
Santa Cruz City High Building Momentum
6.1%Developing
34/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 5 schools in 95003Methodology · Explore all schools

Schools in 95003 on the map

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about 95003

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in 95003 (Aptos) good?
95003 has 5 ranked schools in Aptos, averaging a Scope Score of 47.0/100 — 2.1 points above the state average. 18.4% of students exceed the state standard on average. Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in 95003?
The highest-scoring school in zip code 95003 is Valencia Elementary with a Scope Score of 57/100 and 32.6% of students exceeding the state standard. See full methodology.
How do 95003 schools compare to the state average?
Schools in zip code 95003 average a Scope Score of 47.0/100 — 2.1 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 18.4% vs. 21.3% statewide.
How many schools are in zip code 95003?
Zip code 95003 has 5 ranked schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Full methodology and weights.